Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney
By Jeanette Wallington • Jul 17th, 2008 • Category: Book Review •
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One does not know when or where love can be found. Nor does one have control over who they will fall in love with. Nicholas (Nicky) Parker was minding his own business, certainly not looking to fall in love, when he walked into a Bible class held at his boss’ home. Looking for a deeper insight into the Bible, Zora Nella Hampton Johnson decided to attend a Bible class at the home of the white woman she befriended when she visited her father’s church. She noticed the good -looking Nicky, but it was the traditional hymn they sang and heartfelt prayer, that had her on her knees and her butt in the air crying out to Jesus. Nicky and Zora felt the attraction but, because of their different backgrounds, getting involved in a relationship was the last thing they thought about. Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney is a novel about a relationship damned before it could begin.
Nicky, is the son of a racist southern Baptist preacher. He was supposed to attend seminary school and follow in his father’s footsteps. However, Nicky really just wanted to be a writer, but was unable to write and was working as a snack machine stocker. One Sunday, Nicky walked out of church, disenchanted with his father’s teachings and organized religion.
Zora, the Black American princess, daughter of a mega chuch pastor, had everything. She graduated from Spelman college and was employed at her father’s church. She drove a Lexus and lived in an apartment with designer furnishings and expensive artwork, thanks to her daddy’s generosity. Zora wanted to be a painter, but this occupation was unacceptable to her father, so she unhappily channeled her artistic expressiveness to please him. One Sunday, while listening to her father’s new age sermon, and wanting to hear something more traditional, Zora walked out of church. It was the following Thursday, that Zora and Nicky met.
When I first began reading Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney, I became concerned that the author was going to bombard me with an overload of scriptural references and sermons. Even though there were a lot of biblical references, they were well placed and helped to illustrate the author’s meaning. Ms Burney did an excellent job of developing the characters and allowing them to work through the emotional conflicts and inner turmoil they must have felt as they entered into a relationship that went against everything they had been taught or believed. Burney explored the sterotypes of both races and racism (subtle and intentional) and forced the characters to face their own prejudices. Her argruments were so precise, I found myself joining in the debates between Zora and Nicky. After reading this novel, one understands that getting involved in an interracial relationship is not easy; there is much to be considered. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it be added to your summer reading list.
Jeanette
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Jeanette Wallington is a Michigan native and resides in the greater Detroit area. She has been a member of APOOO since its conception. She is also the co-founder of the Motown Review Book club and a member of the APOOO Exchange Team. You can find her reviews on Amazon.com. She loves to read. Reading allows her to escape from the pressures of life, live vicariously through characters and learn about new and exciting places, cultures and experiences. She cannot name her favorite author or books because her list changes constantly--she enjoys a variety of genres and writers. If you were to view her home bookshelves, you will find that her books are diverse and eclectic.
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